HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – With The Finals in the books (and in case you missed anything, check out our nifty recap above), it’s never too soon to start analyzing the participants. We’re not ones to wait, so here’s our quick post-Finals take on the state of the Heat and Mavs and what’s next for each of them. Here’s our look at the newly-crowned NBA champs, the Mavericks.

That game also saw Dirk Nowitzki go down with a sprained right knee after landing awkwardly and was the start of a rough stretch that many thought might be the unraveling of the season. Nowitzki’s bad knee forced him out for nine games. But the loss of Caron Butler on Jan. 1 with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee took him out for the season and seemed to take away Dallas’ momentum.

From Dec. 28 through Jan. 20 the Mavs labored through a month of anguish, losing 10 of 13 games and sinking back into the middle of the Western Conference standings. But according to the players, it was that difficult stretch when coach Rick Carlisle drove them to make a deeper commitment to their long-term goal and actually found that inner strength that drove them through the playoffs.

The Mavs entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and carrying the same dose of skepticism from the outside world that had marked recent failures. Then they blew a 23-point fourth quarter lead at Portland in Game 4 of the first round and the belief was that they were the same old Mavs. But from that point on, nothing was ever the same. They won two straight to close out the Blazers, thoroughly embarrassed the two-time defending champs in sweeping the Lakers, swatted down the challenge from the young Thunder and then stood up in the face of the bombast from the Heat to claim the first championship in franchise history.

Who’s still around?: The core of Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion are locked into contracts. Now that he’s won a title, the 38-year-old Kidd says he wants to keep playing. Marion’s price tag of $25 million for the next three years might be a little high, but his versatility and defense shined in the playoffs.

Who’s leaving town?: Now that they’ve won a championship with him on the sidelines, the Mavs have to decide if they want to overspend to bring back a rehabilitating Butler. They have key free agents in Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea and DeShawn Stevenson, all of whom were at times as vital as Dirk and Terry in the title drive. And let’s not forget “The Custodian,” Brian Cardinal, who brought his mop and pail to do plenty of the dirty work against the Heat. Roddy Beaubois was big in the Mavs’ future plans before missing the season with a foot injury. But the emergence of Barea means there’s a choice to be made. Peja Stojakovic will likely ride off into the sunset with his championship ring.

Problem areas to address?: When you win a championship, don’t you usually just clean up after the party and bring everyone back? After finally getting themselves an active center that can guard the rim, get rebounds and score around the basket off the pick-and-roll, the first challenge will be to get Chandler re-signed. The Celtics are reportedly already sniffing around him and the just-defeated Heat would like nothing better than to get Chandler to switch uniforms. There’s little doubt that Nowitzki’s drive won’t slow down after winning a championship, but they have to wonder how much longer the aging Kidd can stop fooling the calendar.

Is this the start of a Dallas dynasty?: Nowitzki turns 33 years old on June 19 and that’s usually when superstars are starting to show frayed edges, not move up another level. That said, Dirk works hard, stays in great shape and shows no sign of slowing down. Terry will be 34 before next season and Kidd 39 when the 2012 playoffs start. You wouldn’t want to bet on a Dallas “three-peat.” But having finally broken through the glass ceiling to win it all, you shouldn’t be completely shocked if the Mavs are back in the mix next June.

162 Comments

The mavs win was based on what the heat didn’t do, more than what the mavs did. Talk all you want about Dirk,Terry and Kidd, if it had not been for Tyson Chandler the Mavs would have lost the series, period! The Center position was the key to winning this Championship, never ever forget that if you know anything about Pro Basketball. The Heat got 0 from the center position, Dirk was outstanding, terry came thru, Kidd lead as he leads, their roll players played up to grit, given all of that, without the Center play of Chandler, they loose, he was really their MVP. No they won’t repeat! Dallas was really out played by the Heat the entire series, they just could not overcome Tyson Chandler in the middle (Points, Rebounds and Protecting the Rim). Any questions!

Dont count the lakers out. They have 4 draft picks in the second round so they can have trade all that for cash,players even trade 4 for 1 good pick. But for me the best option is would the lakers get dwight? If they do they can be sure of being in the top seeded again even became one of the bets for a championships. But if they wont get howard there 2nd round pics should be somewhat good?!

About the Heat…what can they do? The simple fact of having Lebron, Wade and Bosh is a huge limitation in terms of salary cap, meaning they don’t have a solid bench and that was decisive in the Finals. Lebron and Wade were tired and they had no options in the bench. Where was Z? Dampier? Howard? Bibby? Jones? Miller? Anthony? House? The Heat faced the Mavs with only 5 consistent players in all 6 games – Bosh, Lebron, Wade, Haslam and Chalmers…very little for someone who wants to be champion.

About the Heat gettin Chandler…a 5 composed by Chalmers, Wade, Lebron, Bosh and Chandler would be very strong. But what about the bench? In order to Chandler “betray” his team, he would have to be highly compensated, can the Heat afford that? Having him would mean having 1 Haslam and 6 Juwan Howards on the bench. Does it really worth it?

About the Lakers and the Spurs. They’re finshed….for now. They need to get young superstars…a push for Dwight is recommended.

Chicago and Oklahoma will continue to evolve…they’re young, playoff experimented now, they’ll continue to mature and I believe, in the present scenario, that these 2 teams, along with Miami and Dallas will go to the Finals next year.

Miami Fans sure do change their minds a lot. First James, Wade and Bosh are going to 5 peat. Now they know thats not happening and all they say is “We need more STARS”!! “We need a deeper bench”. But Mavs fans were telling you this before game 1 and you didn’t listen.

Now Miami Fans what more do you want? James, Wade and Bosh isn’t enough for you? You said you were going to WIN it all remember! Okay maybe James, Wade, Bosh, Durant, Westbrook, Kobe off the bench and Phil Jackson Coach.

hello guy’s I’m a Huge Fan Of The Mavs,, And I Think Mavs can do it twice,, or it can be a grand slam,, those player of mavs can do another fantastic play on this coming season,, so,, just watch Out how mavs can do it,, LET’S GO MAVS,, i believe in you..

I’m a Huge Fan Of The Mavs,, And I Think Mavs can do it twice,, or it can be a grand slam,, those player of mavs can do another fantastic play on this coming season,, so,, just watch Out how mavs can do it,, LET’S GO MAVS,, i believe in you..

For all the mavs fans out theyre dreaming of back 2 back?? keep dreaming.. Spurs never did it,.. Terry was just lucky shooting that way this postseason, but he’s not consistent at all.. Coz if hes consistent, They shouldnt have lost those past season. Those 3 pointers Mavs made are just lucky destined shots.. Theyre not consistent players.. Maybe just Dirk will shoot the ball like he did, but for the rest? nah..

I like the Mavs. I wish they won it 5 years ago too. But I just can’t feel they will repeat…maybe they’ll pull a Houston Rockets on us and we are underestimating the heart of champion, but I think they need to bring in one key player just like the Lakers brought in Artest to go back to back. you need to keep building…lets see..who’s out there?

Next Season will be great!. A lot of teams will be inspired by Dallas and feel they have a better chance of winning as Dallas weren’t considered much of a chance at winning at the start of the season. Anything could happen , it depends where free agents go. Dallas could win again, of course, but teams will be gunning for them more now that they’re the champs, but they’ll have Caron Butler back, so technically it’s a better team. Miami should get some good free agents to replace everyone but The 3, Haslem, Chalmers, Anthony. with a loss in the finals and a bit of humble pie they’ll have more motivation. Wherever Howard ends up will be a serious contender (unless oddly enough , it’s Orlando). Kobe is fired up, so if the lakers can get a point guard that’ll also be interesting.

if I’m Dwight Howard, I’m thinking me+Dirk = unbeatable. If I’m Deron Williams, same thing.
They know Dirk is a team-first guy, so they wouldn’t lose their status as a #1 option, would be co-number one options, and would have a shot at Finals MVP

Mavs could POSSIBLY repeat. Reasons why:
1) Winning it all is a big confidence-booster. Think of their confidence level right now. That will carry into next year. They will have deserved swagger.
2) Dallas is a much more attractive place to play for free agents – I think a lot of guys that may not have thought joining the Mavs would get them a ring now see what they’ve accomplished and would now want to play with Dirk. I mean if I’m Dwight Howard, I’m thinking me+Dirk = unbeatable. If I’m Deron Williams, same thing.

It all comes down to hunger, if they can stay hungry all next year. They already beat OKC as they are and Portland so I don’t see how those teams are a threat unless they change their rosters around and add some pieces. Maybe the Lakers were exhausted so they are the real threat in the West.
Chicago Boston and New York – I’d take the Mavs over any of those teams with their current rosters.

Can we also stop calling Carmelo the best scorer in the league now and put that title back on Dirk?

@WILL
you have some good points but please stop typing in ALL CAPS. that’s NOT cool. NEVER cool.

I agree that the Heat should build around their star player, you said Lebron, I say Wade. Wade will always be the leader, the main man. the go to guy. Heat’s Mr.clutch. Heat’s heart-of-steel. Lebron is good, especially in the regular season. I hate him, a lot. but i got to agree that he’s good… just not in the MOST IMPORTANT GAMES OF HIS LIFE.

going back…
yes, the heat should build around Wade, stop getting so-so veteran guys who would just retire after winning a ring. that’s not how you build a dynasty. Wade is veteran enough, talented enough and prepared enough to lead his team. the heat must really do get younger skillful talents that won’t hurt the organization financially.

but if the heat insists, then better for my team and other teams.
their roster now is indeed a valid contender for a championship. but for a dynasty? NO.

it’s funny how people talk like they are really that sure that the Heat will be the champs next season. oh well no one can blame them, they’re fans. fans are loyal (that should be the case).

yes, the heat will do some changes and improve but that’s what other teams will do too in the offseason and during the season before the trade deadline. so the heat making moves to get better does not automatically make them the champs next season. PLUS, unless LeBron plays more and cocks less IN THE MOST IMPORTANT GAMES OF HIS LIFE/CAREER, the heat is not going to be champs. or unless they get rid of LeBron… Wade and Bosh are better of without him IMHO.

I am a Knicks Fan since the Ewing era. i would love to see them get better, maybe get a tougher defensive center and get a DEFENSIVE COACH who can instill defensive plays in the NYK playbook. they don’t need an offensive coach, amare and melo can coach themselves enough how to explode by scoring. and yes they do know how to defend, 1-on-1. they just need to improve, especially as a team. I don’t see them winning a ring next season. but hopefully in 3years or before melo and amare pack-up and leave.

i wouldn’t be surprise if Dallas goes back to the finals next year. i’m a a big big fan of the mavs and i’m so happy they won the finals at last. but lets be realistic here guys. these aging players as they call them had a great drive and urge to win this finals. they went focused and determined every single time. not letting this opportunity get away this time. my question is if they still have the heart and mind and the urge and drive to capture another one. i’m sure they would say yes. its the coaches job to motivate them. Bring and keep those key players sign-in cause the chemistry is already there. the problem is almost all of them had their key moments at the finals. hehe

critics said age is a factor, but they ran down the more athletic and younger guns in the NBA.. miami had all the superstars they dreamed of having, but it was not enough to win a championship.. first or last championship does not matter whats important is the taste of being a winner… hope Kobe and the lakers ge better next year, and the bulls too. love D-rose.. basketball is unity and balance, thats the way Dallas played that is how they became champions.. i don’t see why there are so many haters, when you’re not the one playing on the court.. tsk tsk..

ya blow up the roster thats it….. no way with butler back they will just be better but dont worry they wont win next year they need to make some changes in 2 years but for now they are fine. the heat will be back in the finals unless chicago can pick up a really good 2 guard

so much rage. i’m sorry bron-bron didn’t win this year but dirk and co deserved this one after clearly outplaying the anointed ones. lecough already told everyone what he thinks about your lives. why you mad brah?

Wow.. I didn’t even look at their team that way.. They are really old.. In like 3 or 4 years, Dirk will be gone.. Who will they go 2? Blow up that roster Cuban.. You won’t be talking much smack for a long time..

It kind of shames me that people still underestimate the Mavericks even after beating four teams as the paper-underdogs; not just barely beating, but legitimately taking teams out around game 5/6. I’m sure no matter who we lose next year and who we gain during free agency, we’ll be right back in the upper enchelon of the NBA top teams. Dirk didn’t really show any significant signs of aging (like someone like Shaq over the last 5 years). JJ will probably have to play a more significant role because Jason Kidd is quickly becoming fossil fuel, but I believe in JJ as a playmaker. They have to sign Chandler most importantly, because getting rid of him would be like the Celtics getting rid of Kendrick Perkins: destructive. And as long as Jason Terry continues to play at a high level, we’ll be something to keep and eye on during something next years post-season, whether if we repeat or not.

Tyson and Barea must stay, With healthy Butler and maybe Peja, just to confuse defences, Mavs will be very strong. Dont forget Haywood and Mahnimi, they can do all the dirty work in the paint. There’s no need to change the winning comination. Dirk can play this way for a long long time. Jet and Matrix are not tired, DeSh is mistery like always and Kidd… no need to say anything about that guy. He can play with eyes closed and only one hand and he still will be the best there is!

Just goes to show that the old adage of ” a team of champions will always beat a champion team” ..Dallas won because they are the better team, they have veterans who know how to play their roles, are unselfish and because they deserved it…Simple…They beat younger more athletic teams because they have more basketball savvy than the young upstarts..Congratulations Dallas Mavericks, from a fan in Australia…

like i always say, best team will have the best chance to make better impact in a competetion. With the same mindset and determination i saw in the MAVS this season, i see them again in the 2011/2012 NBA finals with another VICTORY.Mark my word

LEBRON GETS THE BLAME… Don’t protect the dudes performances. it was awful. Lebron is weak mentally at pressured situation. So, as long as Heat can’t add maturity to there game style. I dont see a Chauncey, Carmelo, Amare combo will beat them on the playoffs..

I would love to see chandler in a boston uniform, he would be an obviously crazy good fit, but I dont see him leaving. He found his niche with dallas and just won a ship, no real reason to leave if im him. I think they have to keep butler, he was giving them exactly what they needed with an athletic wing scorer and defender, and I could only imagin the tear they woulda had with him in the lineup. Heck his replacement in peja ended up being benched. I thought JJ really took that next step these playoffs, so it will be interesting to see what they do with roddy as far as playing time and whos gonna get the minutes at the guard spot with those 2 along with kidd, jet and stevenson. I mean these are all good problems to have really, you have TOO much depth. it looks for good for dallas for the next few seasons for sure.

As far as NBA championship is concerned, the Heat is over. The current players are getting older, not younger. They will slip to number 2 next playoff season and the Bulls will emerge as the Eastern Conference Finals Champions. The Bulls will then face either the Thunder or the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Finals. The Bulls will then be crowned as the 2012 NBA Finals Champions.

The Mavericks did a great job this year. They deserved the championship. The heat did a stellar job for the Big 3 only being together for one year as well. The only problem with that, is their success is overshadowed by their pre-season antics. If any other team in their first year of a newly formed roster made the finals, you would all say it was a success. It still is for this team, and whether anyone likes to admit it or not, they WILL be the team of the next decade. They won’t win the championship 10 years in a row, but they will win more than any other team during that span. LBJ is my favourite player, however he dissapointed me this year. It seemed when it got to the finals that he relaxed too much, and thought that he could let wade take over and that him being the set up man would be best. LBJ is a beast, and when he played for the cavaliers the only reason they made it as far as they did is because LBJ put them on his shoulders and drove the net, made shots, did everything he could to win (with the exception of last year) But this year he did not try and take over, he decided to let wade try and do that. I love wade to, but LBJ still should have taken things on his shoulders, a true great will try and take the series, so that in the end, if they win, he knows he did what he had to, if they lose, it’s because he couldn’t make the shots. But this year all LBJ has to think about is that he didn’t put it all on the line, he allowed himself to become a number 2 instead of a number 1. Expect that to change next year.

**Side note that would be an ultimate dream, is the heat getting Steve Nash as their point guard, Heck any TRUE contender getting Steve Nash would make me happy. I want him to win a championship more than anyone in the league, even it means LBJ and the Heat have to lose again :(

As far as the Mavs go. I have been a fan of the Mavs for years, back when Nash played there. I was rooting for them all playoffs to make it to the finals and play my Heat, was a dream final for me. Would have preferred the heat, but was happy for Dirk and the Mavs. As far as a repeat? or a three-peat? I don’t see it coming. I still think they are going to be a strong team, but what people aren’t realizing is, yes they stepped up and played unreal this year, and yes they are getting older, but more importantly, this Mavs team will not be near as hungry next year as they were this year. Dirk and J-kidd thought this was their last chance to finally get the Trophy and they put it all on the line. No matter what anyone says, come next year, they will not have that desire, they will still want to win, but they will not have that 17 and 13 years of pent up desire and frustration to lean on. Not to mention that the Mavs will NOT be able to keep all their players under contract. they are going to have to let go of a few. Let’s be realistic here.

All in all, a great season this year. Next year is setting up to be a beauty! Go Heat!

haha, we won suckers!!!! Thank you Mavericks, although you delayed my childhood hopes of Dallas winning a ring you made it happen, I never lost hope and I look forward to the years to come. I sure as hell hope they keep J.J

The Heat will be back next year and they definitely will be tougher and hungrier. The Lakers, OKC, Bulls, Orlando, just as well. Let`s just hope next season won`t be a lockout season. Since the Mavs now know how to win it all, they will try to do so again. But to do so they need to keep their core players and Tyson and J.J. are 2 of those. Roddy? Haywood? Butler? Stevenson? Depending on who is available, they might trade some or even all of them. Are they getting Howard? I simply don`t see that happening.
What about Peja? He will robably retire and who can blame him. It`s the perfect moment. He finally got his ring.

I have 1 word 4 you guys Deron Wiliams I wouldnt count out Mark Cuban if he gets eityher CP3 or Deron forget about Dallas will resign Chandler and Butler and possibly Barea. Dallas is 4 real and until someone actually stop them and beat them my money will be on them.Oh and dont forget about Dwighgt Howard.

BTW if HEATs have to win, I personally feel DWade should become their captain without question and lead from the front. LBJ and Bosh and others must play second fiddle. He is the most intelligent and senior-most of all the 3 dudes and has historically come up big in tough situations, not to mention an MVP of the finals. I also think, now that they know how close they were, they will win at least 2 of the next 6 finals.

I think the Heat will win it all next season, no disrespect to any other team, but it’s was bound to happen. Sure Dallas showed that they could be the Heat in 6, but im sure Pat Riley will address their need for a PG and Center, which hurt us on the Defensive end in the Finals and caused matchup problems along the road. Joel Anthony is a solid defender, but they need a to get bigger/taller at the Center position. We could have even done well with a Greg Oden, who’s young and somewhat athletic.

I don’t see why everybody puts the blame on Lebron. Just because he’s one the best in the game isn’t fair. He had to play almost every minute of the playoffs. You cant perform at your best when you’re tired, that’s wh yhis numbers were off. But my dream is that they steal Greg Oden from the Blazers for a one year deal, and he stays healthy, and also go after JR Smith from Denver, that would be awsome.

If Greg Oden can stay healthy (LOL) and Lebron deserves his criticisms. He’s a grown man and he knows what is expected of him, especially when you call yourself THE KING. When you get paid millions a year you are expected to perform, tired, injured, or sick. The excuse that the most promising talent in the NBA couldn’t execute in the 4th quarter because he is tired is bogus.

I’m a big Mavs fan, but there they will be off the top 4 western list for the next several years. Dirk will loose some of his edge and so will Terry. Kidd’s minutes will go down to maybe 25, when they can get a solid PG he’ll get even less. I think they won’t let Tyson go and Butler will bring in some energy on both ends, so they won’t vanish, but i don’t expect them to go past first round next year.

It is very difficult to remain at the top. Once you are champion everyone is trying to get you down. This is what the Lakers learned this season. To repeat the Mavs would have to work even harder than this year. Also more playoff games = more mileage on your body. Even for younger players it matters. I am not saying that the Mavs wont be able to repeat, just that it will get a lot more difficult.

spurs never did and which i think, that the spurs team that won a championship are better than this dallas mavs.. Dirk is the only consistent player in mavs, Half of those 3’s that goes in this season will never drop next season. It was just Lucky Destined shots for these mavs

Chandler, who was tossed around the league and finally found his home (and ring) with the Mavs would probably stay as long a Dirk is there… or as long as the team wants him to stay…

Marion would probably just end his contract as new players would be needed by that time comes… unless he agrees on a vet minimum…

Terry, I think would try to prove himself useful to other teams once a hint of rebuilding is felt…

JJ, though I’m a big fan, would probably not be the starting PG to replace Kidd… true he was effective in game 5 & 6, but i don’t see him be the constant PG running the team’s offense…

Caron will probably be traded…

Buckets, unless he can prove to be an effective player next year can loose his once rebuilding starts…

Mahinmi, Haywood, Cardinal, Peja are dispensable…

Truth is, though everything is juts a fairytale for the Mavs… but the truth will also set in… that like Boston, Spurs or the “Blue Collar” Pistons, the window to repeating a championship is small… holding to a dream of a repeat would be costly…

You’re foolish if you think that the mavs can’t (at least) repeat as champs. The other two best teams in the West were demolished (lakers: 4-0, thunder: 4-1) and if the mavs re-sign Caron and Tyson (which they will) then we’ll only get better with the addition of Caron Butler to a championship team. It just makes sense to me, anybody with any type of basketball knowledge can see that the mavs chances of repeating are pretty decent. I don’t think that age is a big of factor as everyone is trying to make it out to be….both Jkidd and Dirk don’t get injured too often and both stay in good shape. Of course a three peat would be extremely difficult but I do see the mavs repeating as champions. This was just the appetizer, now the team is really hungry. MFFL

I enjoyed watching the finals to the last minute of Game 6. Congrats to Mavs for a well deserved first ever Championship.
LeBron has continued to prove to us that he is not like Jordan-the Great. People kept comparing LeBron to Jordan which is not so. Jordan Gave us 3 rings in a row 2ice.
Jordan will continue lead as one of the Greatest players ever.
My congrats also goes to Dirk for the MVP that became the struggle btw Wade and LeBron causing their defeat.

I demand that the whole Dallas Mavericks Team should undergo a random blood testing.
I would request David Stern to implement a new rule that all teams that would meet us in the finals should undergo a random blood testing upto the final game of the NBA Championships.
-Le Choke-

WTF! haha you either suck at telling “jokes”, cannot write in english, or really tried making Lebron sound so stupid that he lent Wade money and has to pay Wade even more money. Whatever it is, good try but read before you post.

Just watch, Miami will win it next year! Let D wade, Jame and Bosh figure out what they did wrong during the final! Im a heat fan, and LBJ fan, and I even got pissed on how LBJ played during the final……

let them hit them, a team like that should get their rings…..NOT 1, NOT 2

I AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT, THE MAVS OUTPLAYED THE HEAT THIS SERIES. BUT NEXT YEAR THE HEAT WILL ONLY GET BETTER WITH A DRASTIC ROSTER CHANGE. I THINK HOUSE SHOULD GO AND LEAVE THE GAURD PLAY TO BIBBY AND CHALMERS. MIKE MILLER AND JAMES JONES WERE A LIL TOO INCONSISTANT FOR ME. WITH LEBRON AND WADE ATTACKING THE BASKET THEY NEED TO CONSISTANTLY HIT THREES LIKE CHALMERS AND BIBBY DID. MAGLOIRE HOWARD DAMPIER AND ILGAUSKAS SHOULD CONSIDER RETIRING N THE NEAR FUTURE. AS IN THIS OF SEASON. HAHAHA. IF NOT WE GOTTA GET RID OF 3 OF THOSE 4 GUYS AND GET YOUNGER MORE ATHLETIC DUDES. AFTER ALL WE NEED A TEAM TO GROW AROUND LEBRON WADE AND BOSH NOT JUST B THERE FOR A SEASON OR TWO. JOEL ANTHONY SHOULD WORK REALLY HARD ON HIS OFFENSIVE GM SO HE CAN BRING A LIL BIT TO THE TABLE NEXT SEASON CUZ HIS DEFENSE ALREADY EARNS HIM A STARTING POSITION N MYY EYES. IDT ANYONE WAS AS CLUTCH BLOCKING AND REBOUNDING DOWN LOWW AS HE WAS ALONG WITH HASLEM. BUT HOPEFULLY WE CONSIDER PICKING UP ROLE PLAYERS THAT ARENT JUST ENDING THEIR CAREER AND SEEKING A RING. WE NEED GUYS THAT MATCH THE ATHLETICISM OUR CORE PLAYERS HAVE. CUZ IF WE PLAN ON WINNING MULTIPLE TITLES WE CANT KEEP ADDING NEW GUYS TO THE EQUATION, THIS OFFSEASON AND DURING THE SEASON AND MAYB A LIL MORE NEXT OFFSEASON SHOULD BE WHERE WE ESTABLISH A STRONG UNIT TO STAND NEXT TO LEBRON WADE AND BOSH SO THAT WE CAN WIN 3 OUT OF THE NEXT 5.

with the Money the Heat have to pay Lebron, Wade and Bosh…you cannot expect better players to come play for them. Its all about the benjamins. or would your work for less money just so your boss and co workers are happy? :) if so i want to hire you… The heat can get lucky and get a good player in return for three, but the championship is up to the so called “big 3″ because chalmbers did what he had to do and more. But of course, all of this with go out the window if the Lakers or Chicago get Dwight Howard. or New York gets Chris Paul.

I DONT C THE LAKERS OR CHICAGO GETTING HOWARD. NEITHER ONE OF EM NEEDS HOWARD NOR CAN AFFORD HOWARD. OR HAS WHAT ORLANDO WILL B LOOKING FOR N A TRADE. AND THE CP3 TO NEW YORK IS A SMALL POSSIBILITYY IF NEW YORK DECIDES TO STICK WITH BILLUPS. WHICH I THINK WOULD B THE SMARTER CHOICE FOR THE DIRECTION THEYY R TRYING TO GO. BUT THEN ITLL ALL COME DOWN TO MATCHUPS. MIAMI IS A STRONG DEFENSIVE TEAM I THINK WE CANN SHUT DOWN THE THREE OF THEM BUT THEYY WONT B ABLE TO SHUT US DOWN. AND IF YOU COME TO MIAMI YOULL B READY TO MAKE SACRIFICES AS FAR AS MONEY GOES. EVERYONE ON THAT TEAM DID IT THIS YEAR. I JUST FEEL THAT WE SHOULD DO A BETTER JOB LOOKING OVERSEAS MAYB OR GETTING YOUNGER GUYS WITH SMALL TALENT NOW THAT WILL GROW OVER TIME BUT SIGNING THEM TO A LONG TERM CONTRACT WHILE THEYY R STILL UNDEVELOPED AS A PLAYER. I THINK THATLL HELP US N THE LONG RUN. AND I FEEL THATS WHAT WE SHOULD B AIMING TO DO. NOT JUST SIGNING A BUNCH OF OLD VETS THAT R GONNA COME AND GO AND MESS UPP THE CHEMISTRY.

Time and time again the MAVS were never favorite to win it all. That’s perfectly alright because that how they want them perceived.
Cubes will not let Chandler go without a fight. 3 things has to happen for Chandler to leave the MAVS. First is someone that would offer Chandler a significant difference in salary. And 2nd is if it’s a trade with Howard. Other than that he will stay with the MAVS to defend the title.

i dont see any reason why the mavs cant win another title.. you saying their win is a fluke?
c’mon heat fans, lebron is a choker, he’s only great at the regular season.. Plus, bosh doesnt do much,
i dont even know why they call it the BIG 3..

It’s a good question. What will the Mavs do now? It FEELS like this is the culmination of the Mavs efforts since Mark Cuban bought the team, it doesn’t feel anything like the start of a Mavs Dynasty lol. Resigning Chandler has to be their number one priority if they want to repeat, that being said though… they’re still over the cap, everyone’s gonna be a year older, the players that it makes the most sense to move (Butler/Haywood) are both coming off injuries so what kind of return can they expect there… All in all I’d say there’s little to no chance of a Dallas repeat, b ut what a series it was, one of the best in recent memory for sure!

i doubt mavs will repeat but they will most def be one of the elite contenders, especially when butler comes back. then again i never thought they d win this year right so we ll see lol but real talk, they r a bit old & too much young legs and superfriends r championship-hungry now

Oh, and the Mavs win inspired me to do my best in school! That no hyped up thing can stop the heart from achieving what it desires. I learned a lot from this series! Humility, perseverance, loyalty. THIS IS WHAT THE NBA IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT!

Whaaaaatever you say, the Mavs played perfect basketball, beating the champs, the youth, and the hype. If they repeat all of those, nothing will stop them from taking another one. Carlisle is an amazing coach. His rotations has a purpose every single time. The other teams should be courting him instead of the players.

@pj , Marc didn’t say anything about 3 peats. he just said they will do fine. and i also think they will do fine . i am not sure they will win again next year but i am pretty sure they will do well next year. you said aging stars are not gonna cut it but JKidd is already an aging stars a few years ago and look what he done? even if mavs are old they got at least next 2-3 years playing in high level, i think probably got that much left in their tanks plus they got some young players in their team and they are well balanced. The Final just finished 2 days ago and you are already underestimating the champion for next season? that’s not right. don’t underestimate the mavs, that’s what happened this year, everyone underestimated them and they show all wrong.

@Hate the Haters, you said “MOve on man!enjoy it!!because its the first and last.” aren’t you hating on Mavs saying that’s their last? so you probably hate yourself?

anyway Mavs Congratz and you all really deserve it. i love it when traditional team win instead of short-cut (including my knicks) teams.

I get so tired of ignorant comments. Jason Kidd got benched and then Dallas took control of the series. This just happened, did you even watch ar read about the finals? Traditional team? 75% of their roster ws acquired over the past 2 seasons which is normal for today but not traditional. Next, you’ll say Dirk’s hair is woven from gold threads (well, that part is actually true)

miamis year wasnt this year…we all know they had no bench, but who needs a bench right….the mavericks do….theire bench players are as good as their starting lineup….at least jason terry should be a starter…look for miami to bounce back next year…with better players…

You Heat fans only talk nonsense. “Look for Miami to bounce back…with better players”… What you think all the best players are just going to join the Heat and give up their salary? Bosh, Wade, and Lebron already take up most of the salary cap. We are not in the Spanish Premier League were you can offer each player 150 million to play… Luxury tax is a $%^&. No owner will pay more money for a player and no player will play for less money than fair ( unless this player is old and past its prime ( A.K.A. bibby, haslem, howard, miller) Miami will not get better players than those…if so, dish out more money! OR keep lying to yourselves and wish for Superman at center, CP3 at point guard and they can play with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. is that the “better” players you are talking about? All i know is that Miami has perhaps the most talented team in history ( besides the celtic Dynasty) and could not deliver a championship. Lebron just doesnt have it. And for those who say WADE is to be blamed just as much, i disagree. Wade talked and walked at the same time…all Lebron did was talk and never walked…

WTF R U TALKIN BOUT??? THE HEAT KNOWS THEYY RNT GETTING HOWARD OR PAUL. I HAVNT SEEN ANYONE MENTION THAT @ ALL. AND IF U ASK ME GUYS WILL B WILLING TO SACRAFICE AND GIVE UP MONEY. THIS ISNT A VIDEO GAME GUYS R WILLING TO GO OUTTA THERE WAYY TO MAKE STUFF POSSIBLE. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN GUYS LIKE HOWARD DAMPIER MAGLOIRE AND ILGUASKAS THOSE R THE DUDES ID B REFERRING TO WHEN I SAY “BETTER” CUZ UR RIGHT HASLEM CHALMERS AND MILLER WERE OUR BETTER BENCH PERFORMERS BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET A COUPLE MORE DUDES WHO CAN STEP UP AS WELL. ESPECIALLY @ THE BIG MAN POSITION CUZ THATS WHERE WE LACK. WE DONT NEED ANY MORE GAURDS. CUZ WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT WADE AND LEBRON CAN PLAY THE POINT. AND DWADE IS ALSO TO BLAME. AFTER ALL IT IS HIS TEAM AS WELL. HE DIDNT SHOW UPP FOR THE PLAYOFFS AFTER THE CELTIC SERIES. LEBRON GOT THE HEAT PAST THE CELTICS AND PAST THE DAMN BULLS. WADE DIDNT STEP UP AND DO ANYTHING N THE FINALS SO HE CHOKED JUST AS MUCH AS LEBRON DID. I FEEL THAT LEBRON PLAYED BETTER THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS THAN ANY OF THE BIG THREE.

The worst thing any championship team can do is make significant changes to their formula. Not saying the Mavs are headed towards a dynasty, but they don’t need to implode or severly tweak the roster. What the Mavs need to do is definitely make sure they hang on to Tyson Chandler, because his tenacity on the boards vs the Heat proved extremely vital. True, the champs won without Caron, but they need to hang on to him since they already know where he fits in this rotation. Don’t trade a significant player because he was hurt during the run, Cuban! Don’t make that mistake like the Celtics did when they traded Kendrick Perkins and had no formidable center in the playoffs, The Mavs should remember that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

This is the sweetest moment for me to see as the Mavs got crowned the CHAMPS of basketball in the face doubting thomases./ It is well deserved crown for these clesely knitted guys who withstood all odds and weather the storm of disbelievers. As for next season I am strogly of the believe that this team can and will repeat this feat in another surprising fashion next season. It is so ironic that we tag these players as being OLD, but forgot that the Boston TRIO of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were all in their 30s when they worn the Championship in 2008 and returned to the finals in 2010 before losing to the LA Lakers and are still playing strong. These trio are older than Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler so why were people not taking it that a repaet is possible for this bunch of commited and cloely related guys.
I am absolutely positive that with those core staying and the likes of Cardinal, Manhimi and Beaubois who will do the intangibles and will be out there to put in their best and devoid of injury, a repeat is definitely going to happen.

The Mavs had a great season this year and I was pumped that they won but I think it would be hard for them to grab another championship next year. With the emergence of the OKC thunder as well as the Grizz the vets from the West (SA, Lakers, Mavs) will have some new up-and-comers to deal with in 2011-12. Not to mention the Heat who, more than likely, will be back in the thick of things with an overhauled roster of new role players. Unless NY, Orlando, or Boston can slow em down….

The Mavs brought me the best year in basketball I can remember in a long time. With my team being utterly terrible, I rooted for the Thunder and the Mavs all season and while I didn’t expect the Mavs to win it all, I was happy to see them do it. Winning it all again will be difficult for this club considering their age, but I have no doubts that the Mavs will have another great season.

Congrats Dirk, I honestly cannot think of one other vet (besides maybe Steve Nash) who deserved this title more than you. The Mavs represented everything team basketball is about this year and I tip my hat to them for it.

talk to me when D-rose stops airballing potential game-winning shots or when he learns how to play some defense cause his defense is average at best which is why rondo was an all defensive-first with a ring while D-rose is still chasing both.

Crazy? No I’m skeptical that a coaching change might hinder them for ‘serious’ contention for a year…. tho I expect the lakers to come on after the allstar break, not unlike how the heat started to bond together and win.

10-4, Eleanor! The Mavs will probably sweep the entire playoff series next season. This team is REALLY good and getting better! We will have both Butler and Beaubois back next year, and that will make ALL the difference!

Miami fans are eating a lot of crow right about now. Others who doubt the Mavs may be doing the same next season.

you think theyll go undefeated in the playoffs next season? i think you need to take a look at some of the other teams in the west, so many will be getting better in the offseason.. for example like memphis will be even better with rudy gay back – if they meet dallas in the playoffs at all, dallas wont be sweeping them…

no one is overlooking the mavs. be realistic nd stop living in a fantasy where players never age and always get better. the mavs although a veteran team are also aged. take that factor into consideration nd once u do ull realize that it’ll be hard for them to win a championship next year. everyone knows that the mavs won no one is saying that they suck but u have to realize that those veteran players like jason kidd can be doing this forever

I’m guessing Dirk’s Revenge is about 15 years old. On behalf of the planet Earth, we apologize, we should recognize the Mavs as the only team worth talking about now and forever. We pick the Mavs to win the next 15 titiles. Does that make you happier?

I’m a heat fan, the mavs have a legitimate chance to repeat if they can keep there core group of players. But The heat will be mixing up the roster, it will likely be a better team next year even with the new barganing agreeement in place. Leave it to Riley to make it happen.

Will be an even more exciting year of basketball this time around, man, I’m so happy the Celtics did what they did, I’m so happy there are these great 2 sides, almost like david vs goliath, I love sports mixed with drama, it’s the best. Still competative, still exteremley entertaining.

Yup and the Heat are the ones that will ensure that these geezers never get another one again! All they’ve done is delayed the Heat dynasty by a year so all the haters can celebrate now because the next decade belongs to the Heat!

Tyson Chandler ain’t goin’ nowhere! In fact, the only times when he goes to Miami will be to whip their butts. Caron Butler ain’t goin’ nowhere! Next season he will get to do on the floor what he watched from the sidelines. JJ Berea ain’t goin’ nowhere! Brian Cardinal ain’t goin’ nowhere! Roddy Beaubois ain’t goin’ nowhere! Like Butler, Roddy wil be ready to be a major contributor in 2011-12.

At this point it looks great for Dallas. I expect us to win at least 60 games and be in the playoffs with a very high seed. If we play with the heart, grit and determination of this year, then nobody will stop the Mavs, with or without “The Big 3″!

You’re a fool to think aging stars are gonna repeat let alone three-peat! If that was the case I bring Jordan back and watch him win some more championships! I know you love the Mavs, but come on man! Dirk’s gonna have tendonitis and arthritis next playoff season! Think big, but aging stars ain’t gonna cut it bro!

That’s what you guys said this year, and just look at what actually happened. You just WISH that what you said was true, and if you are not a Mavs fan, then I can understand why you would say it. There is nothing wrong with wishful thinking. If Jason Kidd can play like he does at 38, then Dirk should be okay at 34. Dream on!

Hey W! Yeah, we are so happy that the Mavs just got the first championship unlike the Lakers that already has a back to back and even a three-peat but, come on man, you should also consider how the Mavs swept L.A to think that they were the defending champions prior to the Mavs first championship. They are just to lucky that they were being coached by Phil. We’ll see what happens next season without the help of the Zen master.

im not sure bringing in an aging shooter who didnt really prove himself at alll this entire season and postseason will fix all
of the lakers woes…i mean ya earlier in his career he was great, but he just isnt the same four-3 pointers a night guy anymore

Any 40% 3 point shooter will do for the Lakers, their outside shooting was a joke and the whole reason they lost so easily to the Mavs. Spread the floor for Pau and Bynum to work inside and Kobe to drive the lane. A bit of pace would help aswell especially if we lose Brown to free agency!

Dude, there is simply no way the mavs will be able to pay all those free agents u mentioned to come back next season as a players stock usually rises after a championship and they can get a lot more $ with another club (see Jordan Farmar, Trevor Ariza from Lakers championship teams)
If they do manage to resign Chandler he will likely take up alot of their cap room leaving little room for Barrea, Butler and co who will be able to get more cash from other clubs.

it’s not about the mavs moving forward. even if they stay in place, next year the heat WILL be better. The Bulls WILL be better. Not to mention wild card New York and maybe even Boston depending on which center they bring in. The lakers and spurs are out of the picture in the west, but oh boy dallas will still have challenges… OKC will be stronger and smarter. So will the memphis grizzlies. And also, fear the denver nuggets! i know they didnt do well in the playoffs but that team had problems.
Dallas won it this year, yes. But it would be foolish to think this was a perfect team. They were an imperfect team who beat an imperfect team in the finals. That wasnt shaq and kobe winning it. That wasnt superb un-penetratable defense that won it for them (they had good defense, but at times not so good at all). That wasn’t a homogeneous scary group effort with 5 great players (like the pistons when they won it a few years back). That was just dirk and some dorks, making 3s and winning mind games to clinch the finals.
Dallas would not have beat the grizzlies this year. I know they beat OKC, but grizzlies had even better defense. And dallas only won through offense, which could’ve been shut down if you have good D on dirk that limits him to 26 points per game and less than 60% (which randolph would have been able to live up to.)
Even the spurs woulda beat dallas this year. It comes down to match ups and i think they got lucky.